Cycle Doc: Panniers

My son is planning a three-week cycling tour. I want to buy him some panniers that will actually keep his stuff dry. What do you suggest?

The Carradice CarraDry pannier has a more conventional top opening (Handout)

My son is planning a three-week cycling tour this summer. I want to buy him
some decent panniers that will actually keep his stuff dry. What do you
suggest?SB, Ipswich

The Ortlieb Roller Classic (£80, outdoorgb.com)
is one of the most waterproof panniers available: properly closed, it will
happily float on water. It is also extremely durable and easy to use. Not
everyone loves it, however. Because the Roller Classic is impermeable, you
have to be careful that you don’t put anything damp inside — as it will stay
wet, and probably moisten the rest of your kit. Also, it doesn’t have external
pockets or internal dividers.

The Carradice CarraDry pannier (£79, carradice.co.uk)
is an alternative that is made of similar material but has a more
conventional top opening and the bonus of a large side pocket.